The sentencing of two convicted thieves in the Phala Phala farm theft has been postponed to November 26 by the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo.
The court is awaiting a supervision report from the correctional officer on Froliana Joseph, who has been out on bail before the conviction earlier this month.
The report will be used in the mitigation of sentence.
The mastermind, Imanuwela David, has concluded his testimony in mitigation of sentence.
The duo stole 580,000 US dollars from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm in Bela Bela in February 2020.
David has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit house breaking with intent to steal, housebreaking and money laundering.
A fellow thief and former domestic worker at the farm, Froliana Joseph, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit house breaking with intent to steal and house breaking.
During the mitigation of sentence, David has told the court that he knows nothing about the break-in and the theft from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm. He maintains that he did not steal the money, which was hidden inside a sofa at the farm.
He also told the court that his incarceration has impacted his family, especially his mother and the children, as he is the sole breadwinner.
“Since the day of my arrest, I can say that it has affected me a lot more especially because I was a breadwinner to my family, starting from my mother, my siblings, my kids. So, now I’m here in prison and people who were depending on me, they are stranded,” he said.
Magistrate Peter Manthata granted a postponement as the court awaits a correctional supervision report regarding Froliana Joseph’s matter.
“The court has considered an application by accused number 2 to obtain correctional supervision report and I find that the court cannot reject such an application and the application is granted.”
David and Joseph will know their fate when the sentencing procedures resume later this month.
Report by Avhapfani Munyai